Camping

We took our fifth wheel out to camp last weekend.  

We belong to a camping network and have decided we want to try to use it more this year.  

We headed out to Omer, MI about 2.5 hours north of home. 

We always think it looks so big until we go camping and see 

we are actually more medium to small sized!

We travel with the cats in the cab of the truck.  

They are the happiest when they are with us.  

Finn is usually either on Chris's lap or his shoulders.  

While Cole likes the console or the floor at my feet.  

This has been true since they were kittens and traveling with us.

We headed in to West Branch to explore the town.  Imagine my delight to find a quilt shop!

I fell in love with this stack of fabrics by Northcott called Soho.

This was the inside of the shop.  They had a pretty nice selection of fabrics too.

While I was in the shop Chris was exploring the town.  Of course he found the ice cream shop!

There was a cute fountain on the main street so of course a selfie was in order.

We stopped in a wine/cigar shop, where I found this amazing cigar box. 

"Betty" reminded me of one of Tula Pink De La Luna girls.

Pretty similar don't you think??  There were 2 other women designs of this line of cigars too.

We went into the antique shop and I spied this Armadillo bowl(?) 

 I'm sure someone found it dead and decided "hey, let's make a bowl/scoop out of this".  

LOL  Certainly a unique conversation piece, isn't it?

Back to the camper and Cole was begging to go outside and explore. 

I have to say we are both smitten with his Olivia Cat Jacket harness.  

I ask him if he wants to go outside (if he is not already asking) and then I pat the couch.  

He jumps up, purring the entire time I put his harness on.  

I set him on the floor and we walk to the door.  

I then hook him on the lead and voila, he has time to be an outdoor panther.  

He is so handsome!

Finn, on the other hand prefers to lounge about in the camper.  Not quite the explorer his brother is!

When it comes to mom time though they BOTH like to "help" me when I am cutting.  

It appears there is a space for everyone when I have some cutting to do.

 Right after I was done cutting, we headed to the pool as it was quite a hot day.  

This campsite backed to the woods, so we had lots of shade. 

Even in 80 degree weather we didn't run the AC.  

Opening all the windows and using the fans/vents worked GREAT!

Heading home found the boys in their favorite spots.  

It seems there will not be any camping in the month of July, bummer, but maybe August.

We will be doing more in September (in NC) and in October though.

~XOP~

NC Trip Part 1

I know that I have been quiet for awhile now.  

Babies have been born and their quilts delivered so I can NOW talk about that.  

Bridal shower gifts have been given so NOW I can talk about that too.  

This week will be several posts catching up on all of this activity.

 Breakfast (at the DTW airport) was Chick-Fillet. 

It's the only place I know of with a Chick-Fillet in MI.

My friend, Bea, (from Bea Quilter) picked me up from the airport and

 we headed to Brixx Pizza for lunch.

 I got the chicken BBQ pizza and she got Hawaiian.  It was such good pizza!

Then we went to 3 quilt shops.  We both forgot to get a pic at Wish Upon a Quilt = /

Then we went to Bernina World of Sewing.

 Next up was the Cary quilt shop.  OMGosh!  

This shop used to be in a little house and now it is in a HUGE store!!! 

 By far my most favorite shop.  

Of course I found things to buy!  

I have not taken any photos of those things yet, but will share once I do.

Kelsey and I went and had a pedicure and ran some wedding errands on Thursday.

We went out for dinner at Dame's Chicken and Waffles in Durham that night

This was my dinner.  

Kelsey got the sweet potato waffles and they were even better than the regular ones!!

Managed a quick pic in the park on the way back to the car.

Friday found us packing up and heading to Brevard to see Nick's family and get ready for the shower.

I had to wrap my gifts and Mitch supervised.  

He does NOT like me, LOL.  

You all know how much I love cats and most cats like me too.  

I wish he was friendlier, but Max, their dog, makes up for it.  He does some amazing tricks.

We got a photo of most of the family (Nick's brother, Austin was missing).  

We grilled and had a nice dinner and visit with the family.

The entertainment for the evening was when we all went on the front porch and 

took turns target shooting.  

My daughter hit the can every time!  Even the grandma's took a turn.

This is getting a little long so I will post about the shower later.

~XOP~

Vacation Purchases

I know this is what you all are really waiting for right?  

You want to see what I bought so I will share now.

I totally fell for this lined fabric (at the Cotton Patch) and bought a FQB of all the colors.  

GREAT blenders.  

 I have been anxiously awaiting Cheeky so picked up what they had in the store. 

 That blue print goes perfectly with the Neverland fabric I have left over and need to use.  

The fish?  

With a Fisheries biologist in the family and two avid fishermen fish fabric is always a score!

Then I saw the mice from Trixie and the Cotton and Steel mice so picked up a little bit of those.

I have a project that will use these as soon as I get the current "have to" quilts done.  

These are just small bits as they will be sweaters for some cute dogs. 

 These were on sale flannels.

Not normally a panel person but I loved this geometric animal alphabet.  

Scored the Hello Darling on sale. 

 The aqua sparkly linen was...well...sparkly!  

Good for a background and the waves may be used in the current traveling quilt.

 I could NOT resist this dragon line. 

 After making 2 dragon baby quilts I thought this would make a cute couple more. 

If I use the same pattern they go quickly and turn out adorable!

So there you have it.  Most of what I bought while on our trip.  

Hope you have enjoyed our travels.  I know I have!

~XOP~

I Think I Left Off With Vacation

When you stop blogging regularly it seems like it takes time to get back in the swing. 

I was out on vacation then got a nasty cold so that's why I have been MIA. 

 I have been posting in Instagram though as it is much faster and I don't need my computer to do it.

We stopped at 2 quilt shops on the way to NC.  The first one was in Nelsonville, OH.  

The Nelsonville Quilt Company

What a cool little town!  Very nice quilt shop too.

I thought this train was so colorful!

The second shop, The Fabric Shop, was in Pomeroy, OH.  

This shop used to be a general store and had crazy ladders they used to access the high shelves. 

 I made my husband model one of them, LOL.

We went to NC to visit our daughter and to be part of the celebration of my daughter's soon to be nana-in-law's 80 birthday. 

 It was nice to get to spend some time with her and with her future in-laws.

Me and my daughter.

Me with her future MIL.

On our way to Florida we had an unexpected stop to meet a long time Instagram friend of mine. 

 We met up for lunch and it was so nice to *finally* be able to meet her in person! 

 Please excuse my appearance.  I throw my hair into a ponytail when we travel.

  Makes me look bald, HAHA. Jenny sure looks cute though!

Then it was on to Florida!  We stay with my in-laws in Sarasota.  

They have a pool right across from their house too.

One of the days we went to Mote Marine Aquarium.  

It is not only an aquarium, but a research facility and rescue center.  

I think one of my favorite parts is petting the ray tank.

I was impressed by the Megaladon too.  Made hubby stand by it for size.

Then we stood by just it's teeth!  

YIKES!!!

I'm going to leave this here as this post is pretty photo heavy already.

I will post more tomorrow.

Including some more quilt shops!

~XOP~